Disclaimer: None of the authors involved in this story claim ownership of Labyrinth or any of the characters originally found within.
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From: GlitterinKing637(a)crystalcast com
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2009 11:51pm
To: FairiesByte(a)yahoo com
Subject: RE: Guess Who
Dear Sarah,
If you are suggesting for one minute that I do not 'work for a living' then I politely request that you spend a few days in my highly fashionable and comfy-to-boot boots. I think you will find that being the Goblin King (or Queen, as the case may be) is not all fun, games and kicking of subjects out of high windows. You may even discover that I earn my silverware.
Of course, I don't actually get to use them as they are immediately bent beyond recognition by the goblins. They still have not quite mastered the art of 'shining'.
Classic Fae architecture is lovely, in a disciplined sort of way. My heart has always been drawn to a more chaotic aesthetic sense, which I suppose is logical. I find endless beauty in the jumbled twists and turns of my Labyrinth. I would rather look at the constantly changing flow of clouds than the unnatural perfection of Fae sculpture. But order is the key in most Fae art. The palace of the High King is a prime example of this. It is a wonder of pixie-spun crystal, intricate and delicate beyond belief. It is almost as if it were made of millions of perfect snowflakes, stood end to end to form walls, domes, spires... And yet it is all balanced in a perfect pentacle theme. There are five great towers, five lesser towers, five inner gardens (one dedicated to each of the five major elements, excluding chaos, of course)... The list goes on. No one ever gets lost in the High King's palace.
I would show it to you someday, if I could.
Oh, but do not worry about jagged edges. Pixie-spun crystal is so infinitely delicate that, should it ever come apart from the main structure and the magic that binds it, it immediately crumbles to dust. Yes, Sarah. That is where Pixie Dust comes from.
I think I would be very much amused to see Sarah Williams, half asleep and worried for the safety of her neighbor with a Mog Lion making a nest on her head. Very much amused, indeed. Please take a photograph, next time.
I believe that I prefer your current name. While Gwendolyn, Calliope or Lorelei might be more... flamboyant, I do not feel that they suit you. It is as if having a common name allows you to be an uncommon person. People hear something simple like 'Sarah' and they have few expectations. You can amaze them by shattering those preconceived notions. If you had a grander name, people would expect more and your fascinating innate personality would be less valued.
Of course that is just the opinion of a simple Goblin King, so make of it what you will.
You are correct. It is very interesting the similarities between our... professions, as it were. Why, though, are you only an, as you put it, glorified secretary? Why are you not working directly with the children? It would seem to me much more suited to your skills.
I am glad that you were able to take something from your experience in my Labyrinth. Truly glad.
As to your mother... I... am not certain that it is appropriate for me to tell you. I would have thought that she would have let you know about... everything. I assumed, given you had the book. I'm not certain... Perhaps you should ask her?
Let me just say this... Eight years ago was not the first time you visited my kingdom.
Uncomfortable,
Jareth
The Goblin King
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From: ScrabbleAddict(a)crystalcast com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:45AM
To: GlitterinKing637(a)crystalcast com
Subject: Re: The Quest
Your Royal Highness,
I am pleased to inform thee that my brother Ludo and I have indeed found the subject of our quest! I regret to inform thee, however, that what we have found is yet another clue leading to the ultimate prize, and therefore we press on. It matters not that we grow tired and road-weary, Majesty, onward we press! Should we meet with more success than a steady progression of clues, I shall communicate electronically immediately! Ludo and Ambrocious send their regards, such as they are.
Your Loyal Servant,
R.S. Didymus, Knight of the Bog
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From: GlitterinKing637(a)crystalcast com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 9:15AM
To: ScrabbleAddict(a)crystalcast com
Subject: Re: The Quest
Didymus,
My patience wears thin. You had better provide me with something more substantial next time or I will be most displeased.
His Royal Majesty,
The Goblin King
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From: FairiesByte(a)yahoo com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2009 1:34pm
To: GlitterinKing637(a)crystalcast com
Subject: RE: Guess Who
Dear Jareth,
What do you mean that it wasn't the first time…? How…? Ow, this is making my head hurt. Jareth, I can't ask my mother… she… we don't… And the only reason I have the book is because it was one of the few she had and had thrown it at my father when she left us in an angry outburst. She never… now, she wouldn't…
Nevermind. This idea is on the verge of giving me chest pains. I can't go into it right now.
Heavens…
Well, no, I wasn't suggesting that you don't work, but I, for one, have to literally work for my livelihood. If you did nothing for a month, would you still have running water in your castle? Food? Heat? I wouldn't. Plus, I'd be out of gas and unable to pay for my car anymore, so I wouldn't be able to afford to even get myself around… I'm certain you don't have to rely on a car. Gas prices what they are now… I envy you.
For pity's sake, what did I do with my Tylenol? I'm getting a migraine…
Um… the palace sounds lovely. I would like to see it, someday. Maybe.
I'll try to remember my camera. But… if that happens at three in the morning again, I can't promise I'll remember. I remember few things at that hour.
I think… the more I learn of my biological mother, the more satisfied with 'Sarah' I become. You're right, I suppose it does leave me more freedom with less expectations.
I don't work directly with the children because… it hurts too much. I want to help as much as I can, which is why this profession, but with all our laws and restrictions… really, we don't have the freedom you do. Some times, there are ways that would help children the most, and we can't do it because it would break a law or something or other. But… I thought about moving into the field work, once. I was invited to go along with a woman I work with, to see if I was interested or not. That was the day she, unluckily for me, had to take a child away. The mom wasn't able to feed her child, who was four years old, but she loved her terribly… I ended up going home, sobbing more than the young girl did. It had been for the best, of course, but that didn't make it hurt any less to disrupt that bond between mother and child. It broke my heart.
I'm too soft for that stuff, so I leave it to those who are more emotionally secure than me, and do the paperwork for them. I think I would like the good days, like going to visit a child who is now happy in a good home, but the downside of it was too much for me. Too personal, too familiar, and too painful.
…
I wish I could just… wait, no. No wishes.
I have to go. Talk to you later.
Confused and a little hurt,
Sarah
xXx
From: ImbecilicSubject1(a)crystalcast com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 2:45pm
To: FairiesByte(a)yahoo com
Subject: RE: Dear Troink
Hello Lady!
Troink has ben lerning how ta use dee compooter better. Thank you lady, Troink was worreed that lady wood not like Troink's speling. Thow Troink is impruving.
Hoggle wasn't there, it makes Troink feel sad. Dee fairies are everywhere at Hoggle's house. Sir Didymus, haz gon to? With Ludo? No wunder dee castle is so kwiet thees days.
Lady who eltse could you ask?
Your,...welcom lady. Troink can alwayz help. Thank you for xtra cookie next game night, but dee cookies are wut cozzed Troink to break dee rule #6. I spoked to everyone abowt dee rool breaking and they thot it wuz funny...at furst.
Luv you too lady,
Troink
P.S. troink likes email, troink is lerning to spell like you! Troink is very happy now.
xXx
From: GlitterinKing637(a)crystalcast com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2009 5:33pm
To: FairiesByte(a)yahoo com
Subject: RE: Guess Who
Dear Sarah,
If your mother will not tell you... You are certain that you cannot talk to her about it? I suppose not. It does not surprise me, terribly, that she could not bear to stay with you and your father, after what happened...
I am sorry, Sarah. I did not mean to cause you pain, emotional or physical. I spoke without thinking, under the assumption that your mother had passed her story on to you. Normally, I would not reveal such a thing to someone, but given your involvement at the time and your later association with the Labyrinth, I do not see that I have a choice.
I simply hope that it will not cause you to hate me again.
You see, I met your mother a number of years ago. You were slightly older, at that time, than Toby was when you wished him away. You were a lively little thing! Curious as a kitten and ready to go to great lengths to explore everything. There was a rather hairy moment when you wandered out of sight and I had to send out a goblin search party to find you again. There you were, curled up under a bench in my personal garden, completely at your ease. You were always a little different, Sarah, even as a babe. :-)
...unlike your sister. She was typical for her age. She was perhaps slightly younger than Toby is now. Five or perhaps six? She took after your father more, I should think. Though she certainly had your mother's lungs. She spent a good portion of the thirteen hours standing in the center of my throne room, screaming. The goblins, needless to say, loved it.
Sarah, you must understand that I did not have a choice but to take her when your mother wished it. She was, from what I understand, bathing you and your sister made a fuss about something. You mother lost her temper. It was an idle word, even more so then yours. She ran, of course, and I had to take you along with your sister. I certainly could not leave you alone in your bathwater!
Your mother failed. She got to the oubliette in decent time, but gave up from there. Would not even acknowledge the gremlin I sent to lead her out. She curled herself in the corner and... just gave up. After the thirteen hours had expired, I had to send you home with her. She had not wished you away, after all. Your sister stayed in the Underground, as Toby would have done if you had failed. All memory of her was taken from everyone Above except for you, though you were terribly small at the time, and your mother.
I had thought that, given your possession of the book, your mother had confided the existence of Bethany to you.
I know that this must be a horrid shock for you. I wish that I could have saved you this pain. Please be assured that your sister was given to a very lovely Fae woman who has been teaching her the art of healing. I understand that she is quite an adept student.
I don't suppose there is anything else I can say at this point. I am sorry, Sarah.
Jareth
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From: FairiesByte(a)yahoo com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2009 6:10pm
To: cluckerswillruletheworld(a)yahoo com
Subject: Hey Bro
Hey little bro,
How's it going? How's Cluckers? I hope you haven't thrown him out the window again, like you did a couple of weeks ago… poor thing. I know you say it was his fault and all that, but still…
Anyway… I just wanted to ask you to tell your Mom that, yes, I will be coming tonight for dinner. I know I said I couldn't, but… well, my plans changed, and I just… really wanted to see you and have a nice night. Up for some Uno?
See you later,
Sarah
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From: FairiesByte(a)yahoo com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2009 6:16pm
To: GlitterinKing637(a)crystalcast com
Subject: RE: Guess Who
Jareth,
I'm not mad… after all, you didn't do it. Not directly, at least. I swear I'm not mad.
But… I can't talk now. I've got a dinner date I don't want to miss.
… And before you send some message to Little D to attack whomever it is I'm going to see, or… I don't know, something like that… I'm going to dinner with Toby.
Later,
Sarah
xXx
From: cluckerswillruletheworld(a)yahoo com
Sent: Friday, June 20 2008 6:25 PM
To: FairiesByte(a)yahoo com
Subject: RE: Hey Bro
HI Sarah
im fine. cluckers is good. no i didnt thro him out. an it wasnt my fault. he TOLD me that he was gonna fly like the birds at the park!!
i told mom. she said give her more warning next time but OK. plans changed?/
your not mad at me r you?
and uno is good. im winning this time.
BYE TOBY
xXx
CAST
in alphabetical order
Didymus – FairiesMidwife
Jareth - DanikaLareyna
Sarah – MartiOwlsten
Toby – Kore-of-Myth
Troink – Sylistra the Scholar